What to look out for? 1959 190D

[vegout]

I'm thinking about adding THIS to my collection... this car is not running, and is in poor shape. I'll look for the usual rust culprits... etc. I have 2 Q's..

1. How hard is it to find parts for this?
2. Is 1k too much?

Thanks!

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by vegout

I'm thinking about adding THIS to my collection... this car is not running, and is in poor shape. I'll look for the usual rust culprits... etc. I have 2 Q's..

1. How hard is it to find parts for this?
2. Is 1k too much?

Thanks!

Depends what parts you need. The OM621 engine is ok, dependable but not even as fast as a W123 240D. Some parts are expensive and people often forget to change the oil in the IP.

Hard to find junkyard parts for them. I have several of these cars plus additional patrts cars so parts are not an issue for me.

Definitely get the OM 621 diesel engine manual.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Parts are not that hard to find. I have an engine manual for the car. I also have parts...

$1,000 too much? Compared to what? Are there five other 1959 diesel cars to select from at $1,000.00? I doubt that you could find a better one for that price.

The real question you want answered is; "How much will it cost to safely drive the car on the road?"

Assume that all of the rubber on the car needs to be replaced. Tires, cooling hoses, belts, fuel lines, windshield/back window seals, tie rods, bushings, weather strip for the doors and trunk.

Also assume that the brake system needs to be rebuilt. You can get caliper rebuilding kits for about $50 each times four. Master cylinder rebuild kit for $50.00. Brake shoes can be re-lined for $35.00 per shoe times eight.

Water pump, alternator, radiator, air conditioning? Heater cores?

I paid $1,000 for the Emerald Bullet, my 1962 Fintail 220S. I spent about $2500 without making the car look pretty. $500 was for the windshield, front and rear window gaskets and installation. I was $3500 deep in the car when the engine threw a rod. Is the car worth $3500? Not if it doesn't run. Before the engine failed I could have sold the car for $5000.00 if my wife needed a kidney transplant.

I have an engine sitting in my garage. The missing link is coming via UPS and then I can swap motors. I can't wait to drive the Bullet again... The old cars have a soul that new cars can't match.

Go see the car. Are you willing to put an additional $3-5k into the car to make it run safely and look good? Could you find a better car for $5,000.00 total. Yes. You can find a garage kept little old lady Mercedes if you search day and night and get there first.

Read about another members 190D here:

w110 190Dc acquired

[Squiggle Dog]

I think it is a good buy for $1,000. I paid $1,200 for my 200D (fintail, not ponton) and it was a very similar story and condition as that one. You'll spend at least the purchase price of the car on parts to make it a reliable driver (unless you score some deals on eBay like a new alternator for $40), so be prepared.

It's funny because at the local Pull-A-Part I have seen a few pontons over the years. One time they even had three at once!

People say the 190Ds are slow, but they are the same displacement as the 200D engine, and my 200D is plenty fast. It will throw me back in my seat and I have no problem getting up to 60 MPH when merging into traffic and then holding 70 MPH, even though my injectors and pump need work. I've never had to worry about it being too slow except for when I was at 7,000 feet and it was running too rich.

I got my 200D last December, I think, with flat tires, barely running, etc. and I just got back from driving it 2,000 miles across 4 states. I actually drive it to work every day!

[vegout]

I think I may need to wait for a true CA native. Me and rust are not the best of friends, but its worth a look. Not sure its worth the divorce it may cause, but how often do these come along???

its so great to hear that they can be safe for 'so little'. Another reason to love old cars... i can do the majority of the work myself.

Soul - yes that car has soul... all its own. The owner states that he parked it and just stopped driving it. My head was screaming WHYYYYYY!!!

[daw_two]

IF you buy it, please let me know if you need any parts. I have a bunch of new old stock lying around.

[thorsen]

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

$1,000 too much? Compared to what? Are there five other 1959 diesel cars to select from at $1,000.00? I doubt that you could find a better one for that price.

VERY well said.

[Ed Richardson]

Go to the Ponton site on Yahoo. There are several owners in the LA area with a lot of help and advice.
Parts are plentiful, new and used.
Ed